Zarina Skripchenko

ICMS Master of International Business student Zarina Skripchenko’s academic excellence was her ticket towards achieving her personal and professional goals via the ICMS Professional Scholarships Program.

Zarina was recently awarded a Postgraduate Innovation Scholarship and was a speaker at the Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

“If someone had told me a couple of years ago that I would be standing on the stage of one of the best Australian colleges, delivering a speech at a scholarship awards ceremony, I never would have believed it,” she said.

“However, here I am today.”

Overcoming Obstacles

Coming from a Ukrainian family amidst the chaos of the Soviet Union’s breakup, Zarina faced numerous challenges on her path to academic success.

Despite excelling in high school, studying abroad seemed financially impossible for her family.

Zarina devoted years to working in the Central Bank of Kazakhstan but didn’t give up her dream of an international education to further her growth.

She changed her career trajectory, landing a remote financial analyst role and taking a leap to Australia for studies.

Opting for ICMS due to its practical postgraduate programs, Zarina set out to fulfill her lifelong educational dream.

“Receiving a scholarship is a strong motivation for excellent academic performance,” she said.

“Good academic results, in turn, lead to career success.

Seizing Opportunity, Appreciating Support

Juggling studies, work, and motherhood as a single parent in Australia was no easy feat for Zarina.

The ICMS scholarship provided crucial financial support, alleviating the strain and empowering Zarina to pursue her educational goals alongside caring for her daughter.

“This scholarship allowed me to study four subjects within my program for free, which provided additional funds for living,” Zarina said.

“I also constantly feel supported personally by Ann, as well as by other scholarship recipients. We met during the award ceremony and since then we have been forming a community, supporting each other.”

ICMS Professional Scholarships Program chair Ann Whitelock values inclusion and diversity as key pillars of the program which, since its inception 13 years ago, has awarded over $13million worth of scholarships.

While over 90% of scholarships are funded directly by ICMS, the program is also supported by a network of industry partners who invest funds towards tuition and accommodation, and who sit on selection committees and panel interviews during the rigorous selection process.

“Our scholarships are about embracing diversity. The range of scholarships continues to develop to meet the breadth of the diversity of students that we have at ICMS, and ensure that opportunities are available for all types of new and current students,” Ann said.

“The recipients demonstrate attributes such as high academic or extracurricular achievement and for many this scholarship award is what enables them to be here at all. We’re incredibly proud of them all.”

Supportive Environment

At ICMS, Zarina found a supportive community where students are the focus.

The constant academic and personal support offered to international students like her brought a sense of security and belonging, despite the miles separating her from home.

“At ICMS, everything revolves around the student, providing constant support academically and personally, which is extremely important for international students,” she said.

She urged fellow students – domestic and international – to have the courage to pursue their dreams, taking advantage of opportunities such as the Professional Scholarships Program.

“Don’t be afraid to apply for scholarships! If you have good academic results from previous studies, simply write an essay about why you need to receive the scholarship,” she said.

“I think for every student, especially international students, the reasons will be very similar. After this, you will be invited to an interview, where ICMS staff will try to get to know you better in a friendly atmosphere.

“Even if you don’t win this scholarship, it will be a great experience for future interviews, including job opportunities.”

To find out more about the ICMS Professional Scholarships Program, click here.

Zarina shared her story as a speaker at the November 2023 ICMS Professional Scholarships Ceremony. To watch a livestream of the event, click here.